Asbestos and Floods

Natural disasters often bring serious concerns for homeowners dealing with asbestos exposure, especially those facing cleanup projects after a catastrophic flood. If asbestos-containing materials have been damaged or disturbed, toxic asbestos fibers are likely to be released into the air. If these fibers become airborne and are inhaled into the body, serious health conditions such as mesothelioma and asbestosis can arise. And due to the latency period associated with these diseases, symptoms can take decades to develop. This usually results in a diagnosis when the disease or cancer is in its latest stages of development.

In the United States alone, approximately 35 million homes are likely to contain asbestos-contaminated insulation alone. Asbestos-containing materials may include pipe insulation, acoustical plaster, cement, joint compounds, masonry fill, sheetrock, siding, shingles, floor tiles, and more. Products that contain asbestos are not easy to identify on sight, and it is generally understood that if a home was built prior to 1978, homeowners should assume it contains asbestos building materials to some degree. Even construction products made today, such as roofing products, are still made with asbestos.

Avoiding Asbestos Exposure

If a home or building is already down due to flooding, the site should be secured and contained. For safety reasons, a licensed asbestos abatement contractor should be hired to remove any asbestos-containing materials from the debris. However, some homeowners may choose to do the abatement themselves, but this comes with great risk and is not advised.

While performing abatement, homeowners have several ways to protect themselves from asbestos exposure. The first step should be to check with the local and state health departments for all asbestos regulations. These regulations must always be followed when removing or disposing asbestos-containing materials. Failure to comply with asbestos regulations can result in serious fines.

The next step should include taking all necessary precautions to ensure absolute safety. It’s important to keep all asbestos materials wet to prevent any dust from rising into the air. In addition, those working in the contaminated area should wear protective gear, including body-covering clothes, boots, gloves, and HEPA filter masks. All workers should avoid using power tools because they will raise too much dust. The last step is making sure the area is properly sealed from the house yet still ventilated. Equipment can be very expensive and the risk of exposing family members is high if not perform properly. Again, a professional asbestos abatement contractor is highly recommended.

Flood victims returning to their home or business need to take extra care when rebuilding or renovating their premises. When living in a newly-constructed community, where asbestos may not be significantly present, residents should remain cautious because many construction materials used today still contain asbestos. Even nearby communities that have experienced flooding can result in asbestos exposure in your area. Once asbestos is disturbed, the tiny fibers can float in the air for several weeks. When a flood occurs, these fibers can also travel through water and dry out when floods subside. It’s also important to avoid public, industrial, and commercial sites that may be a higher source of asbestos contamination, such as shipyards, schools, power plants, and automotive shops.

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